(Orlando, FL) – The Florida Basketball Association (FBA) held their end of the season Owners Meeting on October 12th in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The meeting included a recap of the 2013 season, discussion regarding potential enhancements for 2014, and a vote to decide on potential expansion.
With a total of 14 different inquiries from markets stretching from Miami to Largo, Florida, only 2 teams were put on the table for 2014. Requiring a majority vote, only Miami was accepted.
“We’re sticking to our guns and making sure we don’t expand too quickly,” said Greg Kite, FBA Commissioner. “It’s very important for us to see this as a long-term project. The FBA brand is being built on the quality, not quantity of teams in our league.”
While only Miami was added, 3 other inquiries are being seriously considered but pushed to 2015. A representative from each of those groups will be presented an opportunity to apprentice for a current FBA team, providing a learning platform to give perspective as each group approaches their inaugural season.
“Our group takes the concept of development very seriously,” said Mark King, Owner of the Florida Flight. “This notion that you can throw a successful franchise together in a couple of months is impractical. We want owners who understand the business and entertainment component as well as the basketball element of this industry.”
In addition, team owners also voted on hosting an All-Star game for 2014. The group unanimously selected Orlando as the inaugural host city for this first year event. The game will be held at the Downtown Recreation Center, the home of the Florida Flight.
“Orlando is a central destination for all of the teams,” said Kite. “It makes a lot of sense logistically.”
The FBA season will again be comprised of a 12 game regular season. The playoff structure has not yet been finalized. More information regarding playoffs and the new Miami expansion team will be released in the coming weeks.
The FBA is a Florida-based professional basketball league providing a development, branding and exposure platform for athletes, referees and other individuals seeking to further their professional basketball career.
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